Recognition for former nurses

Residents at Field View Care Home, Blackhall Colliery, were honoured for their service to the field of nursing with a presentation organised by the home to commemorate International Nurses Day.

Published:13:08Wednesday 18 May 2016

Four care home residents have been honoured for their service to the field of nursing with a presentation organised by the home to commemorate International Nurses Day.

Margaret Golightly, Mary Jamieson, Joyce Young and Evelyn Smith were surprised and delighted when Janice Hardy, the Activities Co-ordinator at Field View, Blackhall Colliery, announced the presentation in recognition of their hard work and service=.

Residents at Field View Care Home, Blackhall Colliery, were honoured for their service to the field of nursing with a presentation organised by the home to commemorate International Nurses Day.

Durham County councillors Rob Crute and Lynn Pounder, who represent the Blackhall division, visited the home to chat with residents and staff and present the ladies with a bouquet of flowers.

Staff and residents listened as the ladies recanted stories from their career.

Margaret, 83, started her nurse training late in life at age 36 before working as a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) at Hartlepool hospital for 23 years.

Mary, who turns 88 later this month, worked as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) at Sunderland Royal Hospital before going on to become a tutor to train nurses. She became a nurse in 1946 and retired aged 60 in 1988, after 42 years of service.

After the presentation, Ms Jamieson showed residents and councillors a photo taken of her and a group of her student nurses on the day of her retirement.

Joyce, 94, worked as a nurse in Lady Eden Hospital in Bishop Auckland and was a nurse during the Second World War. After the war ended she was based at Stockton General Hospital.

Evelyn, 89, worked as a Mental Health Nurse for 10 years at York County Hospital before retiring from the profession when she got married.

Nurses around the world celebrate International Nurses’ Day every year on May 12, the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.

The Blackhall home has also been giving gifts to their visiting district nurses this week in honour of the annual celebration of nurses.

District nurses play a crucial role in the primary healthcare team, visiting people in their own homes or in residential care homes to provide complex care for patients and give support for family members.

Michelle Howarth, Home Manager at Field View, said: “We’re delighted to honour these wonderful ladies in thanks for all their years of caring and their contribution to society.

“We feel it’s important that we commemorate International Nurses Day to show our appreciation of nurses for all their hard work, commitment and dedication.”